Ayrshire Scotland Business News is provided by the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, an association of some of the top companies in Ayrshire. We publicise our members, and celebrate and report the wealth and rich diversity of entrepreneurial and business excellence that abounds here in Ayrshire, south-west Scotland. For further information e-mail Murdoch@eliteayrshire.com

Also participating were Willie Mackie, managing partner of the Clydesdale Bank in Ayr, Martin Hunter, managing director of MH Training and Recruitment, Ayrshire MSPs John Scott and Chic Brodie, and South Ayrshire Council chief executive David Anderson.

And two of Scotland’s most successful entrepreneurs, Sir Tom Hunter and Jim McColl also took part in this major event in the Scottish Parliament.

The seventh annual Business in Parliament conference debated how we can inspire the next generation of business people in Scotland.

Leading entrepreneurs, business people and academics from across Scotland told the assembled delegates how entrepreneurialism can deliver sustainable economic growth at all stages of a business – whether this be at start-up, when exporting, or when the business is in transition.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP (pictured above opening the conference) said: “I’m delighted that the Scottish Parliament provided a platform for debate by bringing together over 200 leading names from the world of business, politics and the public sector.

“The seventh annual Business in Parliament event provided an exciting and unique opportunity to discuss and debate the role of entrepreneurialism in delivering sustainable economic growth in Scotland.”

Sir Tom Hunter (pictured above) said: “Scotland’s future is in all of our hands; we need to stand up and be counted and deliver for the future of this proud, proud nation.

“Do what we have always done and we will be defeated. Innovate, experiment, aim high, aim long and I do believe we can reinvent the modern world.”

The event was jointly organised by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, and contributors to the event included:

Murdo Fraser MSP, Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee (pictured above) said: “At a time when our economy is in the doldrums, we need innovative thinking, bold solutions and a joined up approach to help get it moving again.

“Some of the most successful business people in Scotland today told us what we need to do to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Economic Growth, John Swinney MSP (pictured above) said: “The Scottish Government, with our enterprise agencies and Local Authorities, work closely with business and industry to ensure the country continues to be a competitive place to do business, generating innovative ideas and new entrepreneurs. Scotland is recognised for its contribution to shaping the modern world through innovation and it is important we work together to build on this reputation and ensure Scotland retains its position as the most competitive environment to do business in the UK.

“The Business in Parliament Conference is a great opportunity for leading business people, academics and politicians to come together to discuss how best we can encourage, inspire and support Scotland’s entrepreneurs to realise their growth plans and contribute to Scotland’s economic success.”

Summing up the Business in Parliament conference, Elite Ayrshire Business Circle executive chairman Norman Geddes said: “The conference provided a real opportunity for Scottish business leaders to contribute to the future of Scotland through liaison with the Parliament. The speech by Sir Tom Hunter was truly inspirational to all who attended. Together with the positive contributions of the First Minister and other ministers it left delegates with confidence in the future prospects for Scottish business.”

Monday, 11 June 2012

Leading independent Scottish property consultants CKD Galbraith are offering for sale an outstanding country property with magnificent sea views over the Firth of Clyde.

Hilton Farmhouse is a most impressive country house in a wonderful private elevated position on the Isle of Bute with sweeping views from Skelmorlie across the Toward peninsula to the east, Largs and Cumbrae, Craigmore and Ardbeg points on the Island, south over Kames Castle and Port Bannatyne Golf Course and west across Ettrick Bay to the north ends of the islands of Inchmarnock and Arran and further to the Mull of Kintyre.

Due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream, the island enjoys a particularly mild climate and has become known as the “Madeira of Scotland”. Rothesay (about 3 miles) offers an extensive range of amenities including primary and secondary schooling, a campus of the Argyll College, a good range of shops, a first class hospital and golf course. There is some excellent walking on the island including The West Island Way which runs the length of the island.

Owing to the island’s superb location, Bute is a popular sailing destination. The house overlooks Port Bannatyne, and its new 100-berth marina.

Hilton Farm is a superb restoration of a farm steading. The house has been carefully renovated to provide a striking country house with extensive accommodation including a wonderful lounge occupying the whole first floor which makes the most of the house’s position overlooking the Firth of Clyde and the island. All of the bedrooms and reception rooms on the ground floor have doors leading to the terraced gardens. There is an attractive custom-built Brazilian Mahogany spiral staircase and a lovely hand painted feature wall.

The attractive dining kitchen with marble topped island unit has a wide range of fitted floor and wall units. The west side of the house, has 3 bedrooms (1 en suite shower room) and a master bedroom en suite with dressing room. There is a family bathroom and a sitting room/snug with a lovely fireplace with electric fire.

Beautiful maintained grounds surrounding the House with palm trees and fruit trees and a central sheltered courtyard is perfect for outdoor entertaining on a grand scale.

Hilton is a special property on account of its exceptional position and it will appeal to buyers seeking a unique second home and also those with a passion for sailing.

The partnership provides the full range of property consulting services across the commercial, residential and rural sectors throughout Scotland. The company enjoys a successful relationship with its associate firm in London, CKD Kennedy Macpherson.

The company’s rural arm specialises in farm sales and purchases, the management and sale of large estates and woodland, valuations and building surveying work.

The second prize is a fabulous seven day P&O cruise for 2 people to Spain and Portugal from Stewart Travel, while third place carries a prize of a classy piece of jewellery from Alex Cairncross of Perth.

Judges will award coins to Best Dressed Ladies beginning at the STV Appeal Racenight, continuing the following day Saturday 23 June at Scottish Run Raceday, then Champagne GH Mumm Ladies Night on Saturday 11 August, the opening day of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival on Thursday 20 September, finally William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Ladies Day on Friday 21 September.

Up to 27 ladies will win a coin and a place in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Ladies Grand Final, when each will draw a horse running in a designated race on Saturday 22 September

.

The lady who picks the winning horse will win the superb Vauxhall Astra GTC, the holder of the second horse can pack their bags for the fabulous cruise, and third place wins the jewellery.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Ayr Racecourse sales and marketing manager Lindsey Smith said: “We have firmly established our Ladies Competition as the best of its kind at any racecourse in the UK, and this year’s prizes again reflect that.

“By launching at the STV Appeal Racenight when we have a really huge star in Pixie Lott appearing, we are certain of a high profile night full of glitz and glam.”

For further information please contact Iain Ferguson on 01292 294972 or 07795 565691.

Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are Founder Members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

THE EDITORThe Editor of Ayrshire Scotland Business News is Murdoch MacDonald, a graduate of Magdalene College, Cambridge University, where his journalistic contemporaries included John Simpson, now World Affairs Editor with the BBC, and Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the Guardian. Murdoch MacDonald has been in the public relations industry and a freelance journalist and broadcaster for more than 35 years.He has handled the PR accounts of many top Scottish companies, including Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Life, John Menzies, Kwik-Fit and Barratt Homes.

He has hosted his own family finance programmes - "£s, Pence and Sense" on Radio Forth and "Moneywise" on Scottish Television.He now runs Ayrshire’s top PR consultancy Fame Publicity Services.

Wherever you are in the world, no other public relations consultancy, PR firm or publicity company can offer you a better or more cost-effective worldwide news distribution service, combined with search engine optimisation techniques that will drive customers and qualified sales leads to your company's website.

Murdoch MacDonald is also managing director of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, an association of some of the top companies in Ayrshire.Telephone: 01292 281498E-mail: Murdoch@eliteayrshire.com

Murdoch and his wife Lilian (pictured above) have written a book called "Phoenix in a Bottle", describing how they overcame alcoholism and are now, contrary to conventional wisdom, able to drink alcohol responsibly again. "Phoenix in a Bottle" is published by Melrose Books price £16.99 and is now available worldwide.Reviewing the book, eminent American addiction expert Dr Stanton Peele PhD commented:

“Phoenix in a Bottle is a modern version of The Days of Wine and Roses, and tells the true story of how two people who entered a period of desperate drinking stayed with one another in a close loving relationship, and emerged from their alcoholism able to drink responsibly again.

“Both a wonderful love story and a challenge to conventional wisdom about how people can recover from drinking problems, Phoenix in a Bottle gives people hope, and helps them to confront their own demons - alcohol or otherwise.”

And now "Phoenix in a Bottle" has been selected as a set text by a top American university.

“Phoenix in a Bottle” by Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald will now be required reading for all doctoral students in a psychology programme at Alliant International University in San Diego, California.

Alliant International University, headquartered in San Diego and San Francisco, California, was formed in 2001 by the merger of the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and the United States International University. Alliant has 6 campuses throughout California and also runs programmes in Mexico City, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant is one of the premier psychology schools in the US, and it counts roughly half the licensed clinical psychologists in California as its alumni.

Dr. Gary W. Lawson is Professor of Psychology at CSPP. He says: “I adopted Phoenix in a Bottle because the dilemma this couple struggled with and the questions they ask themselves are like so many others I have encountered in 35 years of clinical experience treating addictions.“However, nowhere in addiction literature have I seen these issues examined and explained as well as Lilian and Murdoch do in Phoenix in a Bottle.“I also recommend Phoenix in a Bottle to many of my patients as well.”

You can buy "Phoenix in a Bottle" by Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald online now direct from Amazon UK (click on book cover image below).